NW Atlanta News

In a collaborative effort with Operation Warm, the Atlanta Falcons and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation have launched the FLY:FWD initiative. This program aims to support high school girls flag football athletes in Georgia and Montana by providing them with two sports bras each.

The Falcons have been instrumental in promoting girls flag football in Georgia since 2018, starting with a pilot program for 19 high schools in Gwinnett County. Currently, over 7,000 girls are participating across more than 280 high schools in the state.

In 2021, efforts were extended to Montana where pilot programs have begun at the high school level. This fall, 17 high schools across Montana are involved in girls flag football.

"We are honored to be a part of the FLY:FWD initiative to further our support of girls flag football," said Amanda Dinkel, Senior Director of Community Relations for the Atlanta Falcons. "Over the past six years, we have seen tremendous growth and enthusiasm for girls flag football. As an organization, we continue to strive to provide all girls the opportunity to participate and aim to remove any barriers of entry to the sport."

FLY:FWD is designed to tackle gender disparities in sports by equipping young girls from under-resourced communities with essential gear like sports bras. The initiative seeks to eliminate obstacles that prevent participation, thereby enabling young athletes to engage confidently in sports and develop both on and off the field.

Grace Sica, Executive Director of Operation Warm stated: "For 25 years, Operation Warm has been changing children's lives and now, through our FLY:FWD initiative, we have the power to make an even greater impact by empowering girls to reach their fullest potential. Thanks to invaluable partnerships like the one with AMBFF and the Atlanta Falcons, we're breaking down barriers and opening more doors for girls in sports."